Compensation and Benefits Tax Intern
Multiple Teams
Posted on 10/2/2025

RSM
Compensation Overview
$34 - $40/hr
Chicago, IL, USA
In Person
Travel to assigned client locations is required.
We are the leading provider of professional services to the middle market globally, our purpose is to instill confidence in a world of change, empowering our clients and people to realize their full potential. Our exceptional people are the key to our unrivaled, culture and talent experience and our ability to be compelling to our clients. You’ll find an environment that inspires and empowers you to thrive both personally and professionally. There’s no one like you and that’s why there’s nowhere like RSM.
As a Tax Intern on our Compensation and Benefits Tax Advisory team, you’ll have the opportunity to work with a wide range of clients - global and domestic, public and private – on some of their most important challenges and one of their biggest assets and expenses, employees. You’ll gain hands-on experience in a variety of industries and areas, including executive compensation, fringe benefits, and other employment-related tax reporting, withholding and deduction issues. From day one, you’ll contribute to client projects by supporting tax analysis, data entry, and tax compliance while learning directly from experienced managers to execute projects. This role offers a unique chance to develop technical depth in the rules and strategy that shape compensation and benefits programs, while helping clients design and manage programs that align their workforce with their overall business goals.
Specific responsibilities will include:
- Understanding project steps, deliverables, timelines, tools, and firm-approved methodologies used in compensation and benefits engagements.
- Developing an understanding of compensation and benefits tax laws, regulations, and other authority.
- Participating in calls with various client stakeholders (e.g., CFO, Director of Tax, CHRO, etc.) and their advisors (e.g., attorneys) to discuss issues and collaborate regarding solutions.
- Assisting with researching, analyzing, and consulting on issues specific to employee benefits and compensation and prepare related written communications, including, but not limited to sections 83, 162(m), 404, 409A, and 280G.
- Calculating tax implications of various compensation plans including equity compensation and related impacts from transactions.
- Preparing client deliverables that compare and contrast various compensation alternatives for incentivizing key employees
- Supporting RSM federal tax compliance teams with client inquiries related to compensation and benefits plans
- Working with other specialty groups on issues that intersect with other technical matters such as cross-border taxation, corporate taxation and partnerships.
Required Qualifications:
- Minimum B.A. or B.S. degree or equivalent from an accredited university
- Accounting major preferred
- Travel to assigned client locations is required. Must have access to and ability to arrange for use of reliable modes of transportation to those locations
- Minimum 3.0 GPA preferred
- Detail-oriented with good organizational and time management skills
Preferred Qualifications:
- Working toward the successful completion of the CPA exam
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Excel
- Ability to work effectively on a team
- Ability to work and multitask in a fast-paced environment
At RSM, we offer a competitive benefits and compensation package for all our people. We offer flexibility in your schedule, empowering you to balance life’s demands, while also maintaining your ability to serve clients. Learn more about our total rewards at https://rsmus.com/careers/working-at-rsm/benefits.
All applicants will receive consideration for employment as RSM does not tolerate discrimination and/or harassment based on race; color; creed; sincerely held religious beliefs, practices or observances; sex (including pregnancy or disabilities related to nursing); gender; sexual orientation; HIV Status; national origin; ancestry; familial or marital status; age; physical or mental disability; citizenship; political affiliation; medical condition (including family and medical leave); domestic violence victim status; past, current or prospective service in the US uniformed service; US Military/Veteran status; pre-disposing genetic characteristics or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state or local law.
Accommodation for applicants with disabilities is available upon request in connection with the recruitment process and/or employment/partnership. RSM is committed to providing equal opportunity and reasonable accommodation for people with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to complete an application, interview, or otherwise participate in the recruiting process, please call us at 800-274-3978 or send us an email at [email protected].
RSM does not intend to hire entry-level candidates who require sponsorship now or in the future. This includes individuals who will one day request or require RSM to file or complete immigration-related forms or prepare letters on their behalf in order for them to obtain or continue their work authorization.
RSM will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the requirements of applicable law, including but not limited to, the California Fair Chance Act, the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance, the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers, and the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance. For additional information regarding RSM’s background check process, including information about job duties that necessitate the use of one or more types of background checks, click here.
At RSM, an employee’s pay at any point in their career is intended to reflect their experiences, performance, and skills for their current role. The salary range (or starting rate for interns and associates) for this role represents numerous factors considered in the hiring decisions including, but not limited to, education, skills, work experience, certifications, location, etc. As such, pay for the successful candidate(s) could fall anywhere within the stated range.
Compensation Range: $34 - $40 per hour
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